The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) welcomes official international exchange partner and Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) exchange students to study in Chicago for one semester. Interested students should consult with the exchange advisor at their home school to confirm eligibility.
SAIC Study Abroad will accept exchange partner applications for students to study at SAIC for fall 2023. We will continue to review guidance related to COVID-19 protocols and consult with professionals in our planned destinations and communicate any necessary adjustments, including cancellations, with program participants.
Incoming student applications from SAIC exchange partners are due March 15, 2023. Applications from AICAD Exchange Partners are due March 1, 2023. Please review the information below for more details regarding the specific application processes.
How to Apply
To apply for a Semester-long Exchange through on of our official exchange partners, you will need to submit the following:
- Portfolio and Portfolio Inventory (No more than 15 images)
- Statement of Purpose
- Academic Transcript
- 2 Letters of Recommendation from faculty
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
Applications must be sent through your home exchange coordinator via email(preferred) to studyabroad@saic.edu OR via postal mail to the following address:
Study Abroad
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
36 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 1203
Chicago, IL 60603 USA
Application deadlines are March 15 for fall semester (late August to mid December) and October 15 for spring semester (late January to mid May). The application review process is typically completed by the end of March for fall applicants and early November for spring applicants. Decisions are communicated to advisor and student by email.
To apply for AICAD exchange you will need to submit the following:
- AICAD Exchange Application including:
- Statement of Purpose
- Academic Transcript
- Home School Approval Letter
- Portfolio
Application deadlines are March 15 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester. Please note that AICAD exchange applications are due earlier than our traditional exchange partners. Decisions are communicated to advisor and student by email.
After Acceptance
If you are admitted as an international exchange or mobility student, your admission email will contain specific details and forms regarding important next steps. That said, you may have some questions regarding some of the common topics below.
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements
All SAIC community members must adhere to all Covid-19 vacinnation requirements. Detailed information about acceptable vaccines and requirments can be found here.
Classes
Visiting exchange and mobility students can and should take courses across SAIC's many departments. It is not likely you will be able to take all of your courses in one department and we encourage you to review course options across all departments. See a list of current course offerings. Exchange students must take at least 12 SAIC credits, typically four classes, each semester. While SAIC courses will offer you a range of options to suit your goals, we cannot guarantee in advance that you will be able to take particular classes. Incoming students will receive more information on course registration after admission. Official transcripts will be sent to your home school after completion of the exchange semester.
All incoming exchange students will automatically be enrolled in one Advanced Research Studio course as a co-hort and this course is required.
Housing and Transportation
Housing and transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the incoming student. While SAIC does have residence halls, these rooms are typically booked up by full-time students and not available for exchange or mobility students. For advice on finding off-campus housing, please visit Housing and Residence Life.
Immigration Matters
Incoming exchange and mobility students holding citizenship outside the United States attend SAIC on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. To obtain this visa, students must first request a certificate of eligibility (form DS-2019) from SAIC Study Abroad. You will receive details on the DS-2019 application process after acceptance.
With a DS-2019 in hand, students begin the visa application process. The first step is to pay a U.S. government fee called the SEVIS fee, and receive a receipt. Payment may be made online. After paying the SEVIS fee, students can make a visa appointment at their nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Information about application materials, wait times for scheduling an interview, and associated application fees can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Orientation
SAIC Study Abroad hosts an orientation program for incoming exchange and mobility students. The orientation program is typically one day and is held shortly before the start of the fall and spring semesters. Admitted students will be sent orientation details, including date and time, in their acceptance materials. Since attendance at orientation is mandatory, incoming students are asked to plan their travel accordingly.
